JESUS IS MERCIFUL – 1

“His mercy endures forever”!

MERCY is an integral part of the gospel message that Jesus came to bring to us. He is a channel of lovingkindness and MERCY to the world.

Jesus is our wonderful, MERCIFUL Savior! What a privilege & honor it is to experience His MERCY, & to exalt Him & give Him praise!

Where would any of us be without God’s mercy & grace? … We would all be doomed to destruction & hell!

PSALM 51:1 – (David says) … “Have MERCY…according unto the multitude of your tender MERCIES blot out my transgressions.”

All of us need MERCY, because we are ALL SINNERS! The consequences & result of sin is death (destruction) BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 3:23;6:23)

FATHER OF MERCIES

2 CORINTHIANS 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of MERCIES and God of all comfort…

“MERCY“

Recently Intercessor Dutch Sheets shared a very interesting story. You can find his report at this link on the internet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_UVhAn1JMA&ab_channel=ProphecyNews (PROPHECY FOR AMERICA | DUTCH SHEETS 2020). It’s only around 4 1/2 minutes. It starts at 6:45 on the timeline and goes to 11:20.

Dutch & his team of intercessors had been prayerfully interceding in Washington D.C near the white house for our nation. They stepped aside into a more secluded place to regroup. A man came walking by saying this word – “Mercy, mercy, mercy…” six times! After he walked by them and had merged in with other bystanders they tried to trace him down to talk with him more about it, but they couldn’t find him. They considered him be an angelic messenger.

MERCY is an unmistakable, unforgettable message for these tempestuous times! God is speaking COVENANTAL LOVE & MERCY to His people!

2 BLIND MEN

Matthew 9:27-31

(Paraphrased – 2 blind men in the Capernaum region were healed, as they cried out to Jesus ”Son of David, have MERCY on us!” When Jesus asked them if they believed He was able to heal them, they said “YES”. When Jesus touched their eyes & said “according to your faith be it unto you” – their eyes were opened. They went into all the country, giving Him praise and spreading His fame.)

We are not sure if their testimony was heard by Bartimaeus in the Jericho region, or if they had heard about Bartimaeus where they were in Capernaum. However, their reports & testimony could have easily generated faith & hopeful expectation for more miracles…

BLIND BARTIMAEUS

Mark 10:46-53

Here is a summary & paraphrase of the story:

BARTIMAEUS was a blind beggar. As Jesus was leaving Jericho with His disciples, there was a lot of people crowding around Him. Blind Bartimaeus sat by the highway begging. He heard that it was Jesus who was passing by. He began to cry out “Jesus, Son of David – have MERCY on me!”

People tried to stop him. They might have said something like “Be quiet! Don’t bother Jesus! He is a very important man! Look who you are… you’re just a poor, blind beggar!

Bartimaeus didn’t let them stop him! He continued to cry out to Jesus over and over again – “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He was willing to cry out to Jesus in the midst of all those people – and NOT STOP!

Jesus heard his cry! He stopped! He commanded Him to be called! (Jesus cared…) The people around him instead of trying to stop him now comforted Bartimaeus! “Be encouraged… cheer up! Get up! Jesus calls for you!” Bartimaeus rose up, and cast aside his garment, and came to Jesus –(not sure how?)

In speculation, Baritmaeus might have cast his garment aside if he thought that it might hinder him from getting to Jesus as fast as possible. He probably wanted to get to Jesus quickly, and not leave any chance of missing this opportunity of a lifetime!

Jesus wanted him to tell him what he wanted “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Lord, that I might receive my sight.”

Bartimaeus respectfully expressed his requested, His answer wasn’t bitter, prideful, or sarcastic, He didn’t say, ”can’t you see for yourself, Jesus”? Or question him, “why did God allow this to happen… “ He didn’t express confusion & hurt. He just humbly articulated his request.

Jesus said, “Go your way – your faith has healed you!” When Jesus said he was healed, immediately he received his sight & could see. He began FOLLOWING Jesus…

After the all the miracles Jesus has done in our lives – are we gratefully following Jesus, too? These days there are so many followers (by the millions) of other things, and other people…! JESUS IS THE ONE TO FOLLOW!

When we cry out to Jesus for MERCY – our source of MERCY – He cares! He wants us to tell him what we want and need. He is able to & willing to miraculously help us, and answer our prayers!

Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain MERCY and find grace to help in time of need.

RICH IN MERCY

The following verses are some of my father’s favorite verses in the whole Bible. He was a great lover of the Word. I can almost still hear him quoting them in his dramatic way — he helped plant them deeply in my heart! He would quote them to us over and over and over again, with great delight and ENTHUSIASM...

EPHESIANS 2:4,7-8

God, who is RICH IN MERCY, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), …that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God…

SAVED BY MERCY

Titus 3:5 – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his MERCY HE SAVED US…

I Peter 1:3 – according to His abundant MERCY He has BEGOTTEN US AGAIN unto a lively hope…

DELIVERED FROM HELL AND DESTRUCTION

Psalm 86:13 – For great is Your MERCY toward me, and You have DELIVERED my soul from the lowest (depths of) HELL

Lamentations 3:21-25 – It is of the Lord’s MERCIES that we are NOT consumed, because His COMPASSIONS FAIL NOT. They are new every morning: GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS.The Lord is my portion, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him.The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.

JESUS –  MERCIFUL HIGH PRIEST

Hebrews 2:17 – …that he might be a MERCIFUL and FAITHFUL high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

JESUS IS INTERCEDING

Hebrews 7:25 – Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing He ever lives to make INTERCESSION for them.

GOD’S GREAT MERCIES

DEFINITION OF MERCY

That BENEVOLENCE, mildness or TENDERNESS OF HEART which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; Overlooking an offense;  Treating an offender better than what he deserves.

The disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. Forgiveness of trespasses and injuries; Forbear punishment & reduce consequences of an offense less than what is warranted.

An act or exercise of mercy or favor; Pardon; Pity; Compassion manifested towards a person in distress. Charity, or the duties of charity and benevolence. Eternal life is a demonstration of the fruit of MERCY. 

The act of sparing, or the forbearance of a violent act expected.

To have no means of self-defense, but to be dependent for safety on the MERCY or compassion of another, to in the power of that which is irresistible & need assistance…

GRACE / favor

There is perhaps no word that precisely synonymous with MERCY. That which comes nearest to it is GRACE.

Jude 1:2 – …MERCY, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

MERCY is a demonstration of favor. A good prayer for us to pray is for it to be multiplied to us, and through us!

MORE SCRIPTURES ABOUT GOD’S GREAT MERCIES

When Moses was interceding for Israel, the Lord was willing to show MERCY to them in the following account:

Numbers 14:18 – (Moses interceding) The Lord is long-suffering and of GREAT MERCY forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty… ¹⁹ Pardon, I beseech you, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of your MERCY and as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.²⁰ And the Lord said, I HAVE PARDONED according to your word: ²¹ But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.

Psalm 145: 8,9 – The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of GREAT MERCY. ⁹ The Lord is good to all: and His tender MERCIES are over all his works.

Exodus 34:6 – And the Lord passed by before him (Moses), and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, MERCIFUL and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Psalm 117:1-2 – Praise the Lord, all you nations (Gentiles)! Praise Him, all you peoples! ² For His MERCIFUL kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever.

Psalm 103:8 – The Lord is MERCIFUL and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in MERCY.

“PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!”

This truth is SO EXCITING!

I Chronicles 16:34 – Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His MERCY endures forever.

There is something that seems to resonate in the heart of God & greatly please Him when we recognize His GREAT MERCY and praise Him for it!

Dedication of the Temple of Solomon

2 Chronicles 5:13-14 – …when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, ¹⁴ so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.

REBUILDING THE TEMPLE

Ezra 3:11 – And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “For He is good, For HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER toward Israel.” Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the FOUNDATION of the house of the Lord was laid.

Note, recognizing the MERCY of the Lord is to be part of the SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION in our lives. When we recognize it, & joyfully thank and praise Him for it, it is a sacrifice of praise & worship that greatly pleases the Lord!

Jehoshaphat’s Army

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 – And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the BEAUTY OF HOLINESS, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER.” Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.

PSALM 136

We find In ALL 26 VERSES — “FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!“

The Lord wants us repeat these words over & over again, & never forget them!

ISAIAH 54:7-8

For a small moment have I forsaken you; but with GREAT MERCIES will I gather you.In a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have MERCY on you, says the Lord your Redeemer.

PSALM 100:4-5

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His MERCY is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

PSALM 23:6

Surely goodness and MERCY shall follow me  all the days of my life, & I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

“HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!”

Jeremiah 33:11 … the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: “Praise the Lord of hosts, For the Lord is good, For His MERCY endures forever”—and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord.

Of course “bridegroom” ultimately refers to Jesus, & “bride” to the church (Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7-9;21:9). All are to proclaim “HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!” & bring the sacrifice of praise into His house.

LET’S GIVE HIM PRAISE

“PRAISE YOU LORD, FOR YOUR MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!” (Please speak that out loud…)

CONTINUED PRAYER, PRAISE & THANKSGIVING

We continue to give you thanksgiving & praise from our heart, Lord, for you are worthy! We worship you in the beauty of holiness because of your great & MERCIFUL KINDNESS to us! You are our source of MERCY & comfort! We praise you for the many miracles you continue to do in our lives, as you demonstrate your great LOVE & MERCY to the world! Thank you LORD that we are NOT destroyed, but that your MERCY TRIUMPHS over judgment! Hallelujah! AMEN!